NPI Manager

Location: Stourbridge

Hours: Monday - Friday, 07:00 AM - 16:00 PM

Salary: £40,000 - £49,000 + Private Health Care

Job Type: Full-time, permanently employed by the business

We're looking for a sharp, hands-on NPI Manager to lead new product introductions from concept through to series production. You'll coordinate everything from tooling design to casting methodology, owning BOM development, process planning, and supplier integration. With a strong grip on cost, quality, and schedule, you'll champion lean, digital-first solutions, drive continuous improvement, and bring real-time visibility to project performance. If you can balance innovation, sustainability, and precision while mentoring future talent, this is your stage.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Drive flexible tooling and casting solutions to meet varied specs.
• Track material and production costs to ensure competitive margins.
• Maintain and develop BOMs and scope to integrate with ERP for seamless automation.
• Manage CRM systems to track projects and new developments.
• Push digital workflows and automate work booking processes.
• Support energy-saving initiatives and sustainability goals.
• Enable real-time process and KPI visibility to boost performance.
• Lead teams to align tooling, casting, QA, and delivery to plan.
• Keep stakeholders informed with clear project updates and regular status reports.
• Build and maintain project schedules, flag issues early, and track performance.
• Deliver dashboards on cost, schedule, and project health.
• Identify and manage risks across departments.
• Control budgets through accurate forecasting and monthly reviews.
• Support DFMEA and PFMEA as part of risk management.
• Champion continuous improvement in planning and cost control.
• Support cost estimates and strategic planning through WBS methodology.
• Collaborate with engineers and suppliers to deliver tooling and components.
• Develop in-house solutions to reduce external spend.
• Monitor quality of outgoing shipments and reduce scrap.
• Improve yield and eliminate non-value-added work.
• Use simulation tools to predict casting issues and validate processes.
• Maintain accurate, traceable production documentation.
• Redesign parts to cut lead time, tooling, and costs.
• Procure tools to support NPI and production ramp-up.
• Embed a 'right first time' mindset across the team.
• Ensure smooth handovers from NPI to full production.
• Adopt best practices and drive learning across projects.
• Apply lean and continuous improvement wherever possible.
• Use simulation to support operational planning.
• Oversee QC systems in line with VFL standards.
• Mentor future leaders and set the tone for positive change.
• Drive Six Sigma practices to improve process capability.

What We're Looking For:

• Own and drive NPI projects from concept to completion, ensuring smooth coordination across departments and external partners.
• A Manager who wants to lead from the front.
• Maintain consistent, clear communication throughout project lifecycles to keep stakeholders aligned and informed.
• Champion change and continuous improvement with a proactive, can-do attitude and a determination to deliver results.
• Apply quality tools such as DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and process/quality audits to support robust product introductions.
• Balance multiple priorities with strong time management and attention to detail.
• Operate confidently in Excel and Word to manage documentation, data, and reporting.
• Collaborate as a team player while taking the lead when needed-bringing energy, structure, and accountability to every stage.

If you have the relevant experience as an NPI Manager and are looking for a long-term career with progression opportunities, apply today and be part of a thriving team!